The golden strawberry or Waldsteinia (lat. Waldstenia ternata) is one of the few plants that still bloom in the shade. It is ideal for planting in slightly darker garden corners or for planting under trees and shrubs.
How do you care for the Waldsteinia (golden strawberry)?
Caring for a Waldsteinia (golden strawberry) includes a partially shaded to shady location, moist and well-drained soil, regular watering, little fertilization and it is hardy. It is suitable as an easy-care ground cover and is non-toxic.
Planting the Waldsteinia
If you have the choice, plant the golden strawberry in partial shade, where it blooms more luxuriantly than in full shade. Although it only grows to a height of around 10 – 30 cm, it grows up to 60 cm wide. With its rhizome roots and above-ground runners, it spreads quickly and reproduces independently. This makes it ideal as a ground cover. With its dense growth, it even suppresses the spread of weeds.
To fill an area quickly, plant around eight to twelve Waldsteinia plants per square meter. Add some well-rotted compost to the planting hole and water the golden strawberries well. They will also need water regularly in the next few days.
Water and fertilize the Waldsteinia
The non-toxic golden strawberry can tolerate a short dry period, but in general it prefers it moist. Then it shows its pretty yellow flowers from April to May. However, be sure to avoid waterlogging and use lime-free water when watering.
A small dose of organic fertilizer such as horn shavings (€52.00 on Amazon) or well-rotted compost in spring and/or autumn is sufficient. Be careful not to damage the branched roots of your golden strawberry when incorporating the fertilizer into the soil.
The Waldsteinie in winter
The golden strawberry is quite hardy and insensitive to frost. Their brownish-red autumn color is a decoration for the winter garden. Remove any fallen leaves from surrounding trees to prevent the plants underneath from rotting. On frost-free days, water your Waldsteinia with lukewarm water that is as lime-free as possible. You should only protect your golden strawberries from frost in the first winter.
The most important things in brief:
- Location: partially shaded to shady
- Soil moist and permeable
- non-toxic, but not a food plant
- easy care
- hardy
- water regularly
- fertilize little
Tip
The golden strawberry feels most comfortable in partial shade, as it shows you with its lush flowers.
